Improved oyster-opener



J. E. ALGER, or NEW-YORK, N. Y. Leampanflvo. 67,246, dated July eo,1861.

i mrsovrn ors'rsu-tireurs.

To ALL WHoM rr MAY'coNcERN: A

Beit known that I, J. E. ALGER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Oyster-Opening Machine wf which the following is a full, clear, -and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this' specification, and in which-ff ment, and

Figure 2 a plan of the same.

4Like letters indicate corresponding parts in both figures. y p l It has long been a desideratum to construct an apparatus or machine that, by the vapplication ofmanual power in an ordinary or easy mannenwould operate to open oysters without'the employment of skilled labor -for the purpose. The accomplishment of such work by the knife is `no lessi dangerous than dilicult to those lacking experience in such matters, so that, especially in -households and places where a skilled hand is not to ,be found, a machine that will answer the purpose, even if less expeditiously and perfectly, or eveniif requiring the knifejo finish the work, 'is an article muclunieeded. My improvement aims at'supplying this want,` and the nature of my invention consists in constructing a machine that, preferably by means of a holdingfscrew or other device, may be secured to a kitchen table or bench, and Yremoved therefrom at pleasure, in which the shell of the oyster may firstb broken at its mouth by introducing lit between or in a ixedjaw of suitable configuration,

' sothat by bending down upon the shell it will be'broken for insertion of the opener; and afterwards, o n resting- Athe butt or hinged portion ofthe shell on or in any one ofa series of grooves, and projecting forward, by suitable mechanical appliances, a reciprocating knife oreopener, the oyster will be opened'without material difiieulty or exercise of extraordinaryskill,.z d without risk of the hand being cut or injured. i

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents the bed of the machine, formed with uprights B C D,A and a table,-E, and though the same may be made a fixture on a suitable table or bench, is preferably attachable to and detachable therefrom :tt-pleasure by means of n. thumb holding-screw, F. The one upright D has a fixed j aw or mouth-shaped recess, G, on its outsideedge, formed of aroof, a, and underlip b, Awhich serve, on

introducing between` them the .monthof the oyster, and'bearing or striking'down on the` shell, to break the latter, so as to admit of the ready insertion Aof the knife `or opener H, on resting the butt` orhinge portion vo f the oysters in any one of a series of horizontal grooves, c, according to the shape of the oyster, and working up, by means of a rack, I, working through the vuprights B 0,- pinion J, and handleK, or othersuitable means,

the opener H, which is'of pointed and'w-edge-shaped form, so as to readily enter between the two. halves ofthe shell, and to spread or open them as required, one hand being used to adjust or hold in4 its groove c theoystcr to the action of the knife or opener, and the other hand to project or operatey the latter, that may afterwards be returned to Arepeat its-work. i

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1. In an apparatus for opening oysters, the'arrangement of a fixed jaw, G, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

' 2. .Thc'combinotion of a reciprocating knife or opener, H, with a support having grooves or recesses c, for` adjustment and retention of the oyster to and against the action of the knife, essentially as herein .set forth.

' J. E. ALGER.

Witnesses:

J. W. Cooxss, G. W. REED.

Figure 1 represents a side' elevation of an oyster-opening machine constructed according to my improve- Y 

